Stroke of luck for struggling readers
The New Paper's Match & Score cash prizes came just at the right time for two winners who have been struggling to make ends meet.
For the past two years, Mr Peter Ambrose, 58, has had to put his life back together after he was retrenched in 2014.
To Mr Ambrose, who is now a security guard, yesterday's jackpot prize of $1,000 was "a sign from the Almighty" that things are taking a turn for the better.
He told The New Paper on Sunday: "I might use some of the money to celebrate, but this money will mostly go to paying the bills, to my schooling son and my sick mother."
Mr Ambrose, who had worked in a logistics warehouse, recalled his toughest days: "Two years ago, they got rid of the entire warehouse of about 20 people. It has been a struggle ever since."
It was his first time winning a cash award.
An ecstatic Mr Ambrose said: "I played the game previously and always missed out by one icon. This time, I checked and rechecked again and again to see if I really won, and I have."
Ms Nurul Hidayah Salim was emotional when she collected her winnings of $400. She managed to complete two rows of football jerseys for $200 each.
TIMELY
The single mother said the money came "just in time".
It will help pay for Hari Raya Puasa goodies and a present for her daughter's ninth birthday.
Ms Hidayah, 30, an administrative executive, said: "As a single mother, it isn't easy. Hari Raya is just a few days away.
"And my daughter's birthday is on July 18.
"I feel very blessed to win the money."
Fourteen more readers also won prizes, each receiving either $100 or $200.
Images of football jerseys are printed in TNP from Monday to Thursday, with the jerseys featuring either a number or a country.
New printing technology allows every copy of TNP to include a different combination of jerseys.
These jerseys can be collected to match the winning combinations published in TNP from Friday to Sunday.
During these three days, there will be a daily jackpot prize of $1,000, which snowballs if it goes unclaimed for the day.
As the jackpot prize was won last night, today's jackpot will be $1,000.
The jerseys are valid only for that week.
There will also be combinations for $100 and $200 cash prizes.
Up to $31,000 can be won in the contest, which ends on July 10.
Winners must collect their prizes at the SPH News Centre at 1000, Toa Payoh North, between 8pm and 9pm on the same day.
Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now